Can I put a chin strap on the basic snaffle bit? My horse tends not to want to stop. Would this bit be okay to use? Thank you very much. Dorothea

Reply from trainer Tracy Zadow:

A basic snaffle is not designed to put on a chin strap. There are snaffle bits that are but there is an easier solution and more effective that I recommend to get your horse to obey your request to stop. First, you have to get him backing up good. By doing this you need to first ask lightly by sitting down in your seat and squeezing the reins back. Gradually increase the pressure of the pull back until 3-4 steps are taken then release all pressure on the reins. Praise. Repeat this until he chooses to back up on the lightest pressure. Be sure to keep your hands down low just above your knees when asking for back up.

Once you have this down then start at the walk. Ask your horse to stop by sitting heavier in your seat, say "whoa" and squeeze the reins back until the horse stops then immediately ask for the back up. What these are called are Walk, Stop, & Backup Transitions. Repeat these transitions until your horse stops when you sit in your seat and say "whoa". This gets your horse listening to you and your body language. After your horse gets this down then move on to trotting. Same thing. You bring the horse down and into the back up until he is stopping quickly and smoothly at the lightest pressure first given. You are basically giving your horse the option how it wants to stop. It can choose to stop anytime from the lightest pressure to most pressure. Horses always choose the lightest pressure. Then move onto the canter. Don't try doing all these transitions in one day. Make sure you are calling it a day when he gets what your asking him to do.